Boston Biker

Action Alert: Bike Safety Bill Needs Your Help

Boston Biker — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:34:43 +0000

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In January, we filed two bills with the Massachusetts State Legislature, and we just found out that the bills are going to be heard in committee next Wednesday. We need your help to get these bills moving! The bills are:

The Act To Protect Vulnerable Road Users (S 1639) adds protections to bicyclists, pedestrians, wheelchair users, and other vulnerable users of the road. It gives law enforcement more flexibility to impose more severe penalties for dangerous driving. (Click here for the full text of the bill.)
The Act To Protect Bicyclists In Bicycle Lanes (S 1640) prohibits motor vehicles from parking in bike lanes. (Click here for the full text of the bill.)

The first hearing on these bills before the Committee on Transportation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 at 10:00 AM, in State House Room B-1.

We hope you are able to join MassBike at the hearing to tell your story, and to urge the Joint Committee on Transportation to report favorably on these two bills. This is the second legislative session for the Vulnerable Road Users Bill, and the first hearing ever for the Bike Lane Bill. For more information on the bills, please see our Legislative Fact Sheet.

If you are unable to attend next week’s hearing, we ask you to do the following:

Send an email or write a letter to the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation – Senator McGee (Email) and Representative Straus (Email) – and ask that they act favorably on these bills.
Call or email your State Senator and State Representative and ask that they recommend to the Joint Committee on Transportation Chairs to act favorably on these bills.
Cc Action@MassBike.org on all your emails, or send us a message telling us who you contacted.

Don’t know who your legislators are? Find out here.

We were able to educate a lot of legislators about this legislation at the Bike/Walk Summit, so we think we are in a good position to move this legislation forward. We need your help again to get this legislation rolling. As always, we couldn’t do it without you.

Worry About The Rain All Day, Walk Outside And The Rain Stops: Rain Day Open Thread

Boston Biker — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:40:12 +0000

oh yea!

Post your best rain day adventures in the comments.

Newton Bike Update (Tonight)

Boston Biker — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:29:56 +0000

from the email, check it out if you are in the Newton area:

The Second Annual Newton Bicycle Update will have all the details:
Monday, June 17, 6-7 pm,
War Memorial Auditorium, City Hall
(Psst–last year the City got an Honorable Mention from the League of
American Bicyclists. Surprise annoucement on Monday!)

Newton Bicycle Coordinator Lois Levin will be joined by Mayor Setti Warren,
members of the Board of Aldermen, city Transportation Director Bill Paille,
Police Chief Howard Mintz, and the Bicycle Advisory Committee.

They will highlight Newton’s new bicycle lanes, describe Newton’s
bicycling safety education programs, review crash statistics and enforcement
activities, and the city’s efforts to encourage more bicycling.

Having adopted a comprehensive Bicycle Network Plan in 2012, the City has
created separated bicycle lanes along Beacon Street, Centre Street, Langley
Road and Walnut Street. This year, the City expects to expand the network by
improving safety on the Carriage Road of Commonwealth Avenue, and add shared
lanes on Lowell Ave and Webster Street. Bicycling is steadily increasing in
Newton because of these efforts.

The Bicycle Advisory Committee is a subcommittee of the Transportation
Advisory Group, formed by Mayor Warren to help advance his vision of a
sustainable Newton. The TAG works to make Newton’s streets safe and healthy
for all residents.

Urban Foraging And Bike Tour TONIGHT

Boston Biker — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:05:27 +0000

Last minute, but you could run over after work and it looks awesome.

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Friday, June 14th, 5:30 pm

Nick Woebske and Galen Mook lead a bike tour at dusk around the perimeter of the Alewife Reservation. Edible plant expert David Craft, will educate riders on the vast amount of edible plants in the area at periodic stops. David has authored books on foraging, and does walks through out the Boston area.

Galen Mook is a bicycle instructor and ride-leader in the greater Boston area, with several years of experience working with Boston Bikes, the City of Cambridge, MassBike, and his own non-profit CommonWheels. He leads rides in and around the region (sometimes with musical accompaniment when he’s on his “drum bike”) and he truly enjoys showing off the area’s bike-ability to those who may be new to biking in an urban setting. For this event, he will be leading a casual, slow-paced and organized tour of the reservation, including a picnic at the end of the trip.

Bring a small snack and water bottle for picnic.

Sponsored by the Friends of Alewife Reservation. Participants will meet at the at the passenger pickup of the Alewife T-stop in Cambridge. Visit www.friendsofalewifereservation.org for updated information or call (617) 415-1884.

more details here (pdf)Go Green Edible Plant Bike Tour Flyer

Boston Police District C-11 Presents Summer Safety Day & Bike Rodeo

Boston Biker — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:12:52 +0000

Take the little ones out and get them trained in bike safety, parents might learn a thing or two as well. (from DotBike)

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Saturday, June 15, 2013
10:00am until 2:00pm in EDT

Boston Police District C-11 presents Summer Safety Day & Bike Rodeo

McKeon Post Parking Lot,
4 Hilltop Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Also present will be The Boston Society of Vulcans (Safety Town),
the the Boston Retired Police Officer’s Code Blue and Dot Bike
• Children ages 4-12 years and parents welcome
• Safety Info for Kids and Parents
• Bring your bike and helmet
• Fun Bike Games and Agility Test
• Cool Bike Helmets — Free as supplies last!
• Free raffle for two 20” kids bikes!
Thank you to all our sponsors and contributors!
Call the C-11 Community Service Office
at 617-343-4524 for more information

Facebook event here.

Neponset Greenway Completion State Funding Commitment

Boston Biker — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:10:22 +0000

Got this in the email from DotBike, pretty awesome that they have agreed to fund this project, its been in the works a long long time. If you have never ridden on the green-way, you should its gorgeous pretty much year round.

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department
Office of Governor Deval L. Patrick
Press Release
Contact: Heather Johnson, Bonnie McGilpin, Juli Hanscom – 617-725-4025; SJ Port (DCR) – 617-626-1453; Cyndi Roy (MassDOT) – 857-368-8500
Follow us on Twitter – View our Photos – Watch our Videos

PATRICK ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE NEPONSET RIVER GREENWAY CORRIDOR
$1.9 million for design to complete bicycle and pedestrian path; connecting communities and improving the transportation network

BOSTON – Tuesday, June 11, 2013 – The Patrick Administration today announced $1.9 million in capital funding to design the completion of the Neponset River Greenway Corridor. The project will complete the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) bicycle and pedestrian commuter system that follows the Neponset River from the outer suburbs, through Boston neighborhoods and into downtown.

“Investing in healthy, alternative modes of transportation will benefit residents today, and leave a lasting impact on the Neponset River Greenway Corridor for generations to come,” said Governor Deval Patrick.

“Working together with our partners at MassDOT, we are going to get this important project completed,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan. “The path will provide a safe alternative for bicyclists and pedestrians. Increased use of cleaner transportation options will protect our environment and serve our Greater Boston communities better.”

In addition to the design costs, MassDOT has committed to fund the construction of the project which is estimated between $11-15 million.

Making it a convenient commuter option, the project route lies within a half mile of 11 rail transit stops and connects its users to jobs, higher education, cultural institutions and recreational facilities in Boston. The current Greenway Corridor is nearly 10 miles long and contains a bicycle and pedestrian network that hosts more than 10,400 users each day. Once construction is complete, usage is expected to double.

“One of our primary goals at MassDOT and the MBTA is to effectively tie all modes of transportation together to provide travel choices, improve the environment and preserve capacity on our highways,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey. “By working together, DCR and MassDOT will be able to construct the final links to the Neponset Greenway and take a major step toward meeting the area’s travel demands.”

The completed network will make bicycle and pedestrian travel safer by creating off-road segments and bridges that take walkers and riders safely past Expressway ramps and over trolley tracks through Hyde Park, Mattapan, Milton and Dorchester.

“DCR considers the completion of the Neponset River Corridor to be a signature project that will connect our Blue Hills Reservation to Boston Harbor, while providing more access to public spaces for residents in urban neighborhoods, connecting communities and improving the transportation network,” said DCR Commissioner Edward Lambert. “Parks and pathways are priority investments for the Patrick Administration because they provide healthy and alternative forms of recreation and transportation.”

The design of this project is the result of partnerships formed over 20 years ago between residents of Boston and Milton, as well as the sponsoring state agencies at DCR and MassDOT, and community organizations such as the Boston Natural Areas Network.

The project’s local match includes contributions from corporate neighbors such Stop & Shop and National Grid. That match reflects the partnership that underlies this project and that will continue to make it successful.

This partnership is a part of the Patrick Administration’s larger efforts in transportation planning for all modes of travel. One of MassDOT’s priorities is completion of the Bay State Greenway (BSG). The completion of the Neponset River Greenway is one of the BSG 100 – MassDOT’s highest priority shared-use paths: 100 miles of new paths that would make additional connections to urban centers, extend existing paths and maximize the transportation network.

Creative Fenders

Boston Biker — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:53:19 +0000

From Epic:

How are you staying dry out there?

Public meeting on Vernon St. Cycle Track Wednesday June 19th 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Boston Biker — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:43:05 +0000

From DotBike:

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Hi Dot Bikers,

We just learned of a meeting that the city is holding in 2 weeks to discuss installing a cycle track on Mt. Vernon St. This street passes Harbor Point Housing and provides access to UMass Boston and the Harbor Walk along the bay. Here is link to a map if you’re not familiar with the street http://bit.ly/17lW56b. Please attend if you can, spread the word and speak up in favor of this cycle track and cycle tracks in general. More information on the meeting and issues below.

Public Meeting for Proposed Cycletrack on Mt. Vernon Street

Wednesday June 19, 2013 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Walter Denny Youth Center
270 Mt. Vernon Street, DorchesterSUBJECT: DISCUSSION TO UNDERSTAND NEIGHBORHOOD INTEREST IN CYCLE TRACKS ON MT. VERNON STREET

What are cycle tracks?

Cycle tracks are sections of road designated for exclusive use by cyclists, physically protected from motor vehicle traffic. Paint or thermoplastic lane markings and flexible bollards plus accompanying signage mark the cycle tracks. Green paint is occasionally added for emphasis on select segments.

Why install cycle tracks?

Mt. Vernon Street’s proximity to University of Massachusetts Boston, the Walter Denny Youth Center, UMass/JFK MBTA Station, and elementary and middle schools, makes bicycling a very desirable transportation choice. Currently few people bicycle because of fear of cars and high speeds on Mt. Vernon Street. Cycle tracks dramatically improve comfort and allow new people to bike.

What about safety?

Cycle tracks are proven to make the roads safer for all users. All proposed plans would improve safety in the following ways.

Designate a safe riding zone for cyclists;
Encourage cars to drive at slower, safer speeds;
Encourage cyclists to bicycle more respectfully and predictably; and,
Make pedestrians and drivers more aware of cyclists.

What are the project limits?

The bike facilities being discussed would extend from William T. Morrissey Boulevard to University Drive.

What does the City do for education and enforcement?

The City supports facilities through education and enforcement of the rules of the road for cyclists and drivers. Boston Police are key partners.

What is involved with installation? Work typically occurs during the day or at night over 3-5 days.

Will parking be impacted? Parking is currently not permitted on Mt. Vernon Street.

Will traffic be impacted? One motor vehicle lane will be removed in each direction with this project.

Boston Bikes is part of Mayor Menino’s vision for a vibrant and healthy city that benefits all its citizens. It seeks to make Boston a world-class bicycling city by creating safe and inviting conditions for all residents and visitors. For more information please call Nicole Freedman, Boston Bikes, <617-918-4456.

State Plans To Update/Improve Cambridge Overpass Bridge With Buffered Bike Lanes

Boston Biker — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:15:00 +0000

Woo! From the Boston Globe:

View Larger Map

The state is planning a two-year, $10-million project to completely rebuild a bridge that carries Cambridge Street over the Massachusetts Turnpike and commuter rail tracks in Allston, officials said.

The bridge currently carries three traffic lanes in each direction. After it is rebuilt, the bridge will carry two traffic lanes in each direction as bike lanes will be added along each side, officials said.

The bridge deck is rated in “poor condition and it is at the end of its serviceable life,” said Michael Verseckes, a spokesman for the state’s transportation department. Jersey barriers have for months blocked vehicles from driving on a part of the bridge “that is in an advanced stage of deterioration.”

This bridge has been slowly falling apart for years, combined with the future plans of Harvard to develop this area, it makes a lot of sense to build up the bicycle infrastructure in the area. If the current rate of growth in cycling continues, combined with more student traffic, you could have thousands of cyclists and pedestrians crossing this bridge every day. The added bike lanes and side walks will turn what was once a crumbling mess of a bridge into a vital pedestrian/cyclist through way.

Keep saying this to yourself “Roads are a public utility for moving people.” This doesn’t mean just cars. Roads are a public utility for moving people…roads are a public utility…roads are a pu….roads….

Well done state planners, bravo!

Livable Streets Update

Boston Biker — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:35:26 +0000

5th Annual Boston Bike Update recap

with Nicole Freedman, Director of Boston Bikes, City of Boston

See all event photoshere

For the second year in a row, Boston Public Library’s Rabb Hall was filled with over 300 people who care about better biking in Boston. Director of Boston Bikes, Nicole Freedman, presented on the Bike Network Plan, Climate Action Goal, Hubway bike share, parking facilities, crash report, youth programs, festivals and more. Some facts from the update:

Boston is the 5th most bikeable city in the country
Biking is up 82% since 2005
New data on cyclist injuries in Boston: mostly male, peak age 21, peak hour 5 p.m.
1884 bikes donated to date by Roll It Forward
The nation’s first bike helmet vending machine is coming to Boston this summer

Thank you to everyone who attended and asked questions, and thank you for your advocacy and passion for better biking in Boston. LivableStreets is happy to have hosted this event for its fifth year. Were you unable to attend? Eager to find out more? We have you covered: Boston Bikes Annual Report, Bike Update films and photos.

Remove McGrath Campaign on NECN

Click here to watch

Charlie Denison, LivableStreets Advocacy Committee Chair, was on NECN talking about our Remove McGrath Neighborhoods Not Highways Campaign.

“The state now agrees this can be made much friendlier to walkers, bikers and residents.”

Watch the show here.

This show was taped after the May 15 meeting, which was the final public meeting of the “Grounding McGrath” study process. We applaud MassDOT for a long term vision of removal through this study, but now want to see a timeline for removal as well as consideration of future street configurations.

LivableStreets is advocating for a four to five lane city street instead of the current plan, which is a six to eight lane “boulevard.” At the meeting, LivableStreets expressedconcern that if the narrower “city street” option isn’t included in the options submitted for environmental and federal review, it will be impossible to implement it during the future design process. We will continue to update you and let you know when to take action. In the meantime, public comments should be submitted to the MassDOT Project Manager, Ethan Britland, ethan.britland@state.ma.us.

Tell us what you think about the NECN segment on Twitter @StreetsBoston and on our Facebook page.

What’s happening

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Street Ambassador Training

Tuesday, June 11, 12-1pm and 5:30-6:30pm

@ LivableStreets office, 100 Sidney St, Cambridge

volunteer@livabletreets.info to RSVP

There’s more than one way to think about our streets, use our streets, and to enjoy our streets. As a LivableStreets Street Ambassador, you’ll be helping people shift their perceptions about what our communities could be.

Represent LivableStreets in neighborhoods, at festivals and at other public events. Learn the ins and outs of our campaigns and projects. Livable streets are achievable, but only when you get involved.

Last year, our 25 Street Ambassadors made national news and helped win short-term improvements in our Remove McGrath Campaign. Help make change this summer. Find out more here and RSVP for a training today!

StreetTalk: Confessions of a Traffic Engineer

Monday, June 24, 7-9pm

@ LivableStreets office, 100 Sidney Street, Cambridge

Free and open to the public. $5-$15 suggested donation.

RSVP here

What is the difference between congestion and “failure” in transportation? How does measuring vehicles instead of people at intersections affect the way our streets are designed? Are safety, economic development and livability taken into account in federal standard highway design manuals?

The transportation engineering community is advancing road design concepts that encourage active transportation, but new approaches and standards have not yet been widely adopted. Come hear Peter Koonce, from City of Portland Bureau of Transportation, speak to the challenges and identify design approaches that would allow the development of a balanced transportation system that better embodies local community policy and needs. Portland, Oregon will be used as a case study to show how the City was able to prioritize its own design policy over national “Level of Service” thresholds.

Volunteer Spotlight with Cleo Stoughton

Where are you from?

I’m from Manhattan, Kansas–”The Little Apple”–home of Kansas State University. It’s a small city, almost out in the middle of nowhere, with a lot of college town pride.

What is your favorite street in greater Boston?

As a JP (Jamaica Plain) resident, I’m probably required by law to say Centre Street. I love the community, the local businesses, and the great restaurants. The 39 bus runs along it, providing an easy, pleasant alternative to driving through JP. Bikes are very welcome here, so you really do see all modes of transportation sharing the road.

What kinds of projects are you involved with at LivableStreets?

I often help with outreach for events, like the Boston Bike Update a couple weeks ago. Last year, I enjoyed helping to get public transit users to write postcards to Governor Patrick asking for long term funding for public transit.

What is your favorite LivableStreets advocacy project? The Circle the City events are so much fun. When else do you get to walk or bike carefree down your favorite city streets? I’m particularly excited about the Avenue of the Arts event this summer, given that I use Huntington Avenue every day.

What would your bumper sticker say?

I’d rather be taking the T!

>Read Cleo’s full Spotlight here.

>If you are interested in volunteering with LivableStreets, come to our

Volunteer Fridays from 12-2pm at our office, 100 Sidney Street, Cambridge. Next one happening tomorrow!

Member Zone

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Member starts bike to work competitionBy Ken Carlson

I came up with the idea of a bicycle commuter challenge as a way to do what I could to help motivate others to take up bike commuting. As an avid bike commuter, a member of LivableStreets, Secretary of the Somerville Bicycle Committee and an employee of Ironwood, it seemed that my workplace was as good a place to start as any.
The idea of the bike challenge was quickly embraced at Ironwood, which also sponsoredStreetTalk: How Cambridge made mode-shift a reality, last November. We formed an active committee comprised of employees of the four companies and representatives of Bio-Med Realty and Transaction Associates. The goal of the challenge was to encourage more employees to take up bike commuting during the week and hopefully for the many weeks beyond Bike Week. The committee put in place an education campaign with Urban Cycling workshops, free bike checks provided by Urban Adventours and a Google map of bike commuting routes commonly used by existing bike commuters.

So how did the challenge go? Bike commuting increased considerably during the challenge week. Ironwood nearly doubled the number of bike commuters, and a number of Ironwood employees biked to work for the first time. It was a thrill to see new bike commuters inspired by this event, two of my close colleagues, one who lives in Newton and one who lives in Lexington commuted every day during the week and are now hooked on bike commuting. That was the biggest thrill to me! We look forward to holding this challenge again next year and to encouraging other companies to participate in similar challenges.

Are you a member and have a success story you would like to submit to be highlighted in StreetLife? Email kara@livablestreets.info with your story.

Win two Cape Flyer train tickets

Do you love this StreetLife publication? How about our events? What about the change we create on the ground, such as making the McGrath Corridor better for people walking, biking and taking transit? Did you enjoy being kept in the know about state wide transportation funding this winter? If you answered yes to one or all of these questions, its time to become a member! Join for only $50 for the year to show that you support our work to create safer streets, and better transportation options, for you.

To top it off, if you become a member (or renew) in the next week, you will be entered to win two free round trip Cape Flyer tickets! Cape Flyer is the new weekend train from South Station to Hyannis, and the best part is that you can take your bike at no extra cost. Its a great new, stress-free option to get to the Cape, and we want our members to go for free.

Join/renew by Wednesday, June 12 to be entered to win 2 Cape Flyer tickets.

Other events and meetings

Connect Historic Boston Exhibit at the BSA

June 4-June 17

@ BSA Space, 290 Congress St, Boston

LivableStreets is proud to be on the advisory committee for Connect Historic Boston.

See exhibit details here>>

Bike4Life Social

Wednesday, July 10, 6-8pm

@ Landsdowne Pub, 9 Landsdowne St, Boston

Learn about logistics of riding or volunteering in Bike4Life, while meeting new people who are participating in the ride.

See event details here>>